The following was written by INTEL General Manager Robin Martin about the Philippines:

Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwelltoo much on the negative side, and this affects the perception offoreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while. The negativeperception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality whencompared to countries like Columbia, Egypt, Middle East, Africa, etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positiveespecially when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad.

Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in1995. 1995 was the year the telecom industry was deregulated. Since thenbillions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellularnetworks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone ata world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in1995 we now have over 7 million. Cellular phones practically did not existin 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenueflyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads arenow of good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went toIba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not so frequentlytravelled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years.There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years.Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe.

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plantis where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including thePentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations are expected to beIntel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20 years. TheBaguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. DSP chipsare the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip thatpowers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in theworld.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that theABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO, makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-Cillin (Imay have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses right here inEastwood Libis, Quezon City. When a virus breaks in any computer systemin the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding thevirus.

6. By the end of this year, it is expected that a majority of the top tenU.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. will have set up operations in thePhilippines. This is one area in which I believe we are the best in theworld in terms of value for money.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations includingfinance, accounting, Human Resources and payments processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network inthe Asia-Pacific region here in Manila, CITIBANK also does its global ATMprogramming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exportingcars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines.

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jailand facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we are still pursuing theill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates tell them thegood news. A big part of our problem is perception and one of the biggestbattles can be won simply by believing and by making others believe.

This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who persevereto hope and work for our country.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHER FILIPINOS!!!

-----note: this was a forwarded mail i got today. I wish to share it to everyone..